“Anna Lee.”
“Keric—”
I drop to one knee.
My mother makes a sound that’s not quite a word—something between a gasp and a sob. My father’s arm tightens around her.
“Anna,” I say again, my voice rough with everything I’m feeling. I squeeze her hands. “You are my Bride. You have been since the moment I first caught your scent. But I want the world to know.” I pull out the small black box I’ve been carrying in my pocket for two days, waiting for this moment. I open it to reveal the large diamond ring I chose for her. The diamond came from my own collection, as did the gold for the ring. I gave it all to a trusted orc jeweler, from an establishment we’ve all used for generations to create rings for our Brides.
“Will you marry me?” I ask.
Anna’s hands are shaking in mine. Tears are stream down her face, but she’s smiling—really smiling, the kind of smile that transforms her whole face.
“Yes,” she whispers.
I’m not sure I hear her. “What?”
“Yes.” Louder now, laughing through her tears. “Yes, Keric. Yes.”
I slide the ring onto her finger. It fits perfectly.
My mother completely loses it. Tears are streaming, tissues materialize from nowhere and sounds come out of her that aren’t quite words. My father grins, patting her back, looking more proud than I’ve ever seen him.
Drew whoops. Whelan actually smiles. Miranda is crying too, leaning into Rogan, who nods at me with solemn approval.
I stand, pull my female into my arms and kiss her deeply, not caring that everyone is watching. She tastes like tea and honey.
When we finally break apart, my mother is already talking. “Six weeks,” she announces, wiping her eyes. “We can do this in six weeks. I’ll handle everything, the flowers, food, location, all of it. Anna, sweetheart, we need to talk about your dress and who you want to invite and…”
“Mom.”
“Don’t ‘mom’ me.” My mother points an accusing finger, mascara smudged under her eyes. “I’ve been waiting for over fifteen years for you to bring home a Bride. You’re lucky I let you pick out and purchase that engagement ring all by yourself. I amplanningthis wedding.”
I look at Anna.
My Bride puts her hands up. “Oh, I don’t mind at all. I’ve been to your parent’s cabin and seen your mother’s clothes and her sense of style. I’m certain she’d plan something I’d like. And I have zero desire to plan anything, just the thought of it sounds exhausting. I want to show up and be happy that it’s all magically happening. All I request is that I get to pick out my own wedding dress, other than that I’m thrilled to push all that work onto your mother instead.”
“It’s a deal.” Maggie Irontree beams with watery eyes and immediately pulls out her phone, starting a list.
My father pours drinks and chats with Whelan about hunting. Drew and Miranda cluster around Anna, talking about dress options and things I don’t understand but am grateful someone else does.
Rogan moves to stand beside me. “You did well,” he says quietly.
“I got lucky.”
“Luck had nothing to do with it.” He watches Anna for a moment. “She’s strong. She’ll make a good mother to your sons.”
He doesn’t know how right he is. Or maybe he does, Rogan has a nose as sharp as any orc I’ve ever met. If he’s scented the change in Anna, he’s keeping it to himself. Waiting, like I am, for her to discover it on her own.
“She will,” I agree.
“And you’ll make a good father.” He claps my shoulder once, firmly. “Your ancestors would be proud.”
Coming from Rogan, this means everything.
Across the room, Anna catches my eye. She’s surrounded by people, my mother still talking a mile a minute beside her, but somehow, she finds me in the chaos. Smiles. Mouths something that might beI love you.
And I mouth it right back.
